VALENTINE.Proposition

That night, I was able to keep Dominic at home as we shared dinner and watched a movie together. I did the same to the following days until our time together becomes somewhat a routine. He quickly adapted and didn’t look bothered anymore as time goes by.

However, I was not able to stop him last night from going out, and just like last time, he returned so late and took a shower after arriving. My curiosity about him grows more especially when I noticed a few scratches on his cheek and arm adding up to his usual cut lips the morning after.

Could they still be fighting? Or is he a masochist who goes off getting beaten? Wait, maybe he is the sadist and the wounds were just results of Sean fighting back. Aside from curiosity, I am also anxious and worried about Sean but I still couldn’t somehow bring myself to ask.

A few uneventful days pass by and before I know it, it's already weekend. I still haven’t gotten a new lead as to Leandro’s whereabouts while Ross asked for a few more days to complete Dominic’s background data. Irish continues hounding me about the schedule of her ovulation.

Dad is also backing it up by pestering me about going on a pre-wedding vacation, obviously, so I can produce an heir. When Friday comes, as usual, I drive to Mama’s joint for a drink or two. It is a surprisingly peaceful night for a weekend. I take a seat in the counter and start chatting up with Mama.

“Hey, I heard you adopted Sean’s stray?” Mama says while pouring me my usual drink.

“Word surely flies fast,” I smirk and sip from my glass.

“So how is he?”

“Nothing remarkable. Why? What about it?”

“Nothing remarkable. Really?” Mama asks with a raised brow, intrigue, and surprise dripping from his tone.

“I can sense meaning to your voice, Mama. Do you know anything about him?” I ask although I would like to leave the investigation up to Ross’s team about Dom’s background “Perhaps your news can help me finalize my decision whether or not to sign a contract with him.”

“Oh, I thought you already did,” Mama says while wiping glasses with a clean rug.

“No, I’m still observing him whether he deserves taking up the Alfa’s brand name.”

“I’m surprised Sean agreed to that. Oh, well…” Mama shrugs as though it is already expected. “Sean will do anything for that boy after all.”

“Are you trying to tell me that the manager and his talent are actually in a relationship?”

“Nothing and no one can prove it but…You can’t help being suspicious of two people living together with the one gay while the other a bi, can you?”

I am tempted to tell him that I only have a subservient relationship with Dominic despite us cohabiting right now but I don’t want this fact to spread around either. Although thanks to my family’s wealth, any social maladies could quickly be erased by our trusted people under our payroll for damage control.

However, it still wouldn’t feel and sound right if other people would know about me an engaged man living separately from his fiancée yet living together with a strange man instead. Not that I care how people say about me but if my father winds up hearing about this, there would be a repercussion.

“So what news do you have about Dominic?”

“I heard he’s an exclusive top and good in bed.” Mama pops his lips, making me choke on my drink. “Sorry did I surprise you? But really, I want to try him. But I don’t think I can afford him. I don’t want him leeching off of me either.”

“What do you mean?” I frown while wiping my mouth with a tissue.

“He doesn’t fu¢k for free. As you already know, in the industry he’s moving, a lot of people offer their bodies in exchange either for sponsorship, a movie role, or a signed contract. It’s all for ensuring a better career to earn sure money.”

“So you’re telling me that Dominic is one of those whores in the industry?” I confirm, mustering a stoic face.

“Yup, and he’s quite infamous, too. So, Mr. Alfa, don’t get your a$s fu¢ked.” Mama gasps before chuckling to himself. “What am I saying? You’re a top, too, so of course, you’ll be safe.”

I drink from my glass once again to avoid his eyes. I don’t think I am a top especially when I haven’t done it with another man. Oh, well there was that one time with Dominic in my living room sofa which proved that I have been topped by another man although regrettably, we didn’t get to finish it.

In my heart of heart, I prefer to be pinned down then be dominant in bed. Maybe that is the reason why until now I never get the courage to approach Sean because I am subconsciously aware that we are both bottoms. Perhaps this also explains why I am now fixated on Dominic instead. Truly, the kid exudes dominance and oozing with testosterone.

So, Dominic gets paid for sleeping around. I remember the night when Sean approached me for Dominic’s case. He did say I could ask any favor in exchange for a contract. Could that be it? Back then I wasn’t so sure. But after hearing this from Mama, now I am certain he meant $ex at that time.

Wait, this is interesting. Bringing the glass to my lips, I down the remaining shot. The alcohol burns a path from my throat down my gut, making my body hot. But I know I am feeling a different warmth that originates from my groin that spreads through my nerve endings. After tossing a few bills to the counter, I stand from my seat.

“Leaving already?” Mama asks in surprise.

“I’m driving so I can’t drink much.”

“Oh, alright.” He takes my glass and money away before waving me a kiss goodbye. “Good night, Val.”

I nod and leave the bar with fast strides. I don’t want to show how I suddenly feel excited but my heart is betraying me. Sweat breaks out of my pores just as my breathing becomes ragged. Adrenaline pumps into my blood as I get into my car and drive fast back to my place.

I have been curious about Dominic since the first time meeting him. Now I realize what this feeling I have towards the young man. It is sexual curiosity. At thirty-three and almost a v¡rgin, I am subconsciously drawn to the man who exudes experience. Thus, my eyes keep following him around.

If I give in to my curiosity, shouldn’t I take advantage of the person who has rich experience to gain experience myself? And Dominic happens to be that person. Coincidentally, he is also the person my body only reacts to. If money is the only way he can agree to it, then I have a lot of money to offer. Perhaps this way we can agree to finally close the deal.

I park my car on my usual spot and get into the lift towards my condo on the twentieth floor. Dominic didn’t tell me he is going out tonight but I am still a bit worried he might have left. When I input my code and open the door, I am greeted by Dominic’s silhouette sitting on the sofa in the dimly lit living room, nursing a beer while watching the TV.

I feel my body relaxes and I blow a relieved sigh. Dominic turns to the door, meeting my gaze and I think my heart jumps to my throat. As I suspected, this man has a special effect on me especially his intense gaze. Just a glance and I feel funny all over my body. My crotch, which had been playing dead all this time, reacts strongly to Dominic’s attention.

“Oh, you’re back! Do you mind?” He raises a can of beer and the remote in each hand. “I helped myself around the house.”

“It’s fine.” I wave a dismissive hand, wincing at the obvious tremor to my voice.

“Do you want me to prepare you a bath?” Dominic stands, helping me out of my coat and my stomach tightens into knots from the brief brush of his hands to my skin.

“No, I’m good,” I answer in a rather stern voice due to nerves before glancing at the beer in his hand. “I’ll have a beer, too, if you don’t mind me joining you,” I add, smiling this time to let him know I wasn’t angry or anything.

“S-sure.” He answers, staring wide-eyed at me.

I nod before quickly going to my room, leaning against the closed door while clutching my chest to compose myself. Gosh! It’s so embarrassing that I am getting excited at the thought of being ravished by a man at this age when I am not even sure if he is going to agree. I feel so pathetic.

I only want to change clothes but in case we come into an agreement, it is best to be prepared early on. So after shedding my clothes off, I put on a robe and get in the bathroom at the end of the hallway and thoroughly wash my body. I don’t know exactly how to prepare myself so I will just maybe soap that area a few more times.

After donning a pair of pajamas, I finally emerge from my room and join Dominic in the living room. He hands me my beer without taking his eyes off of the television screen which is surprisingly tuned in on a cooking show. I take a swig while watching him at the corner of my eye and wince at the cheap taste of the drink.

“Don’t you like beer?” He asks in a rather amused tone after noticing my reaction.

“Not really. I have better booze there, you know.” I gesture to the cabinet at the corner wall. “You can open one if you want to.”

“I’m fine with this. It suits me better. You don’t get easily drunk, do you?” Dominic asks while still looking at the screen.

“No. I only got drunk once. That was almost four years ago when my mother died.”

“I’m sorry.” Dominic glances at me but quickly averts his gaze back to the television.

“It’s fine,” I say blandly, taking another sip of the beer. “Back then, it’d been the best time to get drunk… or maybe worse.”

“Were you… at home at that time? Who helped you while you’re out of it?” Dominic trails off as though hesitant to ask.

“Well…” I pucker my lips to the side, thinking deeply because I honestly don’t remember a thing that only night I got hammered. “I was in a bar but luckily, my feet still brought me to a hotel to check-in. I probably smacked my face or something because I woke up with a nasty bruise on my jaw.” I bring the beer to my lips but Dominic suddenly chokes on his drink that I have to pat his back a couple of times. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, sorry, I’m fine. I’m fine.” He waves his hand dismissively and points to the screen. “I was just surprised he got eliminated.”

“You like this show?” I ask, shifting on the seat so my body is turned towards him while I lean back against the armrest.

“I’m watching for the menu and the objective comments from the jury.” Dominic has recovered from his coughing and now is back to watching with an animated expression on his face. “The kitchen is the place I feel most comfortable in. I’m passionate about cooking. I’m even planning on taking up a culinary course.”

“What about your job?”

This time, he finally turns his head and meets my gaze. “Oh, no. I didn’t mean right away, Val. Of course, I won’t jeopardize your agreement with Sean.”

My brows twitch slightly at how compliant he sounds, so far different from the crabby personality he first showed. Until now I still can’t decide whether which part of him is the disguise and genuine although I am honestly biased to the idea that he is a jerk who only truckles to get the contract from me.

Although thanks to that, it gives me the perfect opportunity to proposition him of what I want. “Hey, speaking of your job, I heard rumors about you.”

“Rumors? Oh, there are a lot of them. Which one is it?”

My mouth twitches, tempted to ask what more else are the rumors about him but I resist the urge. “You know, about you sleeping around for money?”

“Hmm…” He becomes contemplative as he sips his beer. “Well, you know as a man, we have biological needs so…” He chuckles, easily dodging the question without confirming or denying it. “It’s just that in this industry, that thing becomes part of work so you just have to take advantage of it.” He answers nonchalantly but his eyes distinctively darken as they gaze at me.

“Hypothetically speaking, if I’m to sleep with you…” I swallow hard and brace myself. “How much will you charge me?” I inquire, trying to sound as cool as he does although deep inside I am dying in nervousness.

“Well, do you want to?” He arches a brow and gives me a sidelong look with those piercing green eyes, making me shiver with want.

“I said hypothetically.” I didn’t want to sound defensive but somehow I pretty much sound like it.

“Then, I wouldn’t have to answer you since you’re not going to anyway.”

I grit my teeth and hold onto my patience. He is doing this on purpose, being pushy and egging me on.

“Ok…” I sigh. “Say we’ll sleep together, how much then?”

Dominic stares at me for a moment, making me feel antsy on my seat. “Is this how I’m going to get the contract?”

I knew it! He is only for the contract. He is a striving artist and starving for cash after all. But if it is the contract, that is just small money. I didn’t know he comes this cheap. I blow a slow breath, relaxing my body. Knowing he will agree, I feel confident that I let silence become my answer.

“If this is about that, then can I refuse?”

“W-what?” I stutter in surprise and a bit upset from the sudden and blunt rejection.

Am I not enough for him? Do I not fit his criteria for a client? Wait, I thought he needs money, why is he rejecting me? He has the nerve! Maybe my face shows how utterly shocked and upset I am when Dominic waves a hand at my face as though to snap me from my ugly thoughts.

“Listen, Val. To be honest, I don’t want to be a model. I’d rather work for you in the office and be your maid at home. I don’t even mind if you add to my job description being your bed warmer. But in exchange, please turn down Sean’s deal in making me a model.”

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